"Carlos, the main subject, is one such case: originally from Mexico, he crossed the border at the age of nine with his three brothers and his parents. Now in his late 30s, Carlos has spent all of his adult life in America, yet there is no legal pathway for him to citizenship. A tragedy looms large. Jorge, one of Carlos's siblings, was deported to Mexico after a minor driving offence, leaving behind his partner and his son."
"The city of Chicago emerges as a central character in the film. The camera glides through the metropolis, taking in the towering skyscrapers and overpasses, as well as the multiculturalism embedded in the urban landscape. This emphasis on space further drives home the paradox of existing in America as someone whose movements are severely restricted; for the undocumented, there are no open roads. Carlos might be surrounded by indicators of wealth and prosperity, to which he contributes as a tax-paying resident."
Lyrical black-and-white cinematography conveys the anxiety and isolation experienced by undocumented Dreamers who were brought to the US as children. Carlos, a Mexican immigrant who crossed the border at nine, has spent his adult life in America yet lacks any legal pathway to citizenship. The deportation of his brother Jorge after a minor driving offence creates enforced separation that haunts family gatherings and punctuates emotional phone calls. Constant fears of arrest, detention and deportation make everyday activities mentally taxing. Chicago's urban landscapes and multicultural scenes emphasize the paradox of contributing to society while being denied freedom of movement.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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